In another tragic incident of violence in Plateau State, the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) reports that five community members were killed in an attack on the village of Rafut in the Kwatas district on October 14. According to BCDC leaders, the attack occurred shortly after 7 PM despite recent warnings of heightened threats in the area.
This assault follows a series of deadly incidents that have shaken the Bokkos Local Government Area. In the past week alone, over ten lives have been lost: five were killed in Wumat on October 7, four in Kuba on October 10, and two more in separate incidents on October 11 and 12. The area has been facing ongoing violence, with similar incidents in September, including six fatalities in Daffo and multiple attacks in Mbar and Kop Mandarken.
The BCDC alleges that warnings were given by a media outlet on October 12 about possible attacks, yet violence continued. Witnesses identified the attackers as members of the Fulani ethnic group. Just a day before the attack on Rafut, community leaders met with police and military officials to discuss security measures, yet the attacks persisted.
According to BCDC Vanguard Chairman, Barr. Farmasum Fuddang, four young men guarding their home were ambushed, and an elderly man was also killed when attackers stormed the compound, bringing the death toll to five. Another individual was attacked while riding his motorcycle near Maikatako the day before, further underscoring the rising insecurity in the region.
BCDC praised the military’s response, which led to the rescue of a severely injured victim, Yelwa Sunday Mashat, who is now recovering. Several suspects were apprehended, and large herds of cattle blocking the victim’s escape route were seized. However, the Council criticized the lack of preventive action, as security agencies had been informed of suspicious activity near Rafut hours before the attack.
The Council also renewed its call for a civilian joint task force to bolster community protection and improve intelligence sharing. In recent months, residents have hesitated to participate in neighborhood watch efforts due to past incidents where civilians defending their communities faced military actions, including arrests.
“Our call for a civilian joint task force is born out of necessity,” stated Fuddang. “Local residents have essential knowledge of the terrain and can support military efforts, but without a formalized task force, response times are slow, and community members feel unsupported.”
BCDC emphasized that their appeal is grounded in respect for established authorities and a desire for a cooperative relationship with the military. However, the Council reiterated the community’s right to self-defense as a constitutional duty, vowing to provide legal support for members who act to protect their homes and families.
“We cannot stand by as terrorists kill and displace our people to take over our communities. This violence has claimed over 400 lives in the area since the Christmas attacks on 26 communities,” Fuddang said. The Council called on the government to support the medical treatment of the injured and to apprehend individuals previously linked to threats in the area.
BCDC also extended condolences to the families of those killed in the Rafut attack and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the community. They specifically urged the authorities to arrest four individuals previously implicated in violent activities in the region.
The BCDC Vanguard’s leadership, including Barr. Farmasum Fuddang and Secretary Amb. Duwam Bosco, is joined by other council members in its push for security reforms and continued advocacy for community resilience in Bokkos.